The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-07-14
WILL STAY AWAY.
President Cleveland Reconsiders
His Intention to Visit st. Louis.
A Lengthy Letter Explaining HIS Reasons
for His Aetion-A Wish Co Avoid un-
pieasAntness with the a. A. R.--No
Fear Of Violence.

verbally invited tho President TO visit
this city during the holding OF the encamp-
| ment OF the Grand Army OF the Republic
next September explains itself without
| further comments
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, d. O.,
July 4, iss7.-- The Hon. Ddrid r. Frdsois Mayor
dad Chairman DEAR sin; When | re-
oeiyed the extremely cordial and gratifying In
yitation from the citizens OF ST. Louis, ten
dercd by n number Of her representative men,
10 visit that city during the Naionhi encamp-
meat Of tho Grand Army Of the Republic, had
been contemplating for some time the accept
hnse Of IN Invitation from that organization 70
the same encct and had considered the
pleasure which IL would aford me. II II should
be possible, 10 meet not only members OF
the Grand Army, but tho people OF st.
oconsion would give me m opportunity TO
visit The cxactons Of my public duties felt
90 be 70 uncertain. howoycr that when nrst
confronted by the delegation OF which you
were the head expected 10 do no more at that
time than 10 promise the confederation OF the
double invitation rendered me, aud express tho
pleasure u would give me 70 accept the same
tHuFeAftcr II possible. hut the eordiallty and
sincerity OF your presentation. re enfor ccd by
the heartiness OF the people who surrounded
| you. 40 Impressed me that could not resist the
feeling which prompted me 10 assure you on
the spot that would be with you and the
Grand Army Of the Rcpubiic NJ the time dcsg
mated II nothing happened In the meantime 20
absolutely prevent my leaving Washington,
Immediately upon the public announcement
Of this conclusion expressions emanating from
certain important members Of the Grand Army
| Of tho Republic, and Increasing In volume and
| Siruicnce. constrained me 20 review my accept
ancc OF these invitations. The expressions re
/ fcrrcd 10 20 10 the extent OF declaring that I
Na NJ hA
| time and place o. tho National Encamp.
mcnt. This statement Is based, we'll
ns can Judge, upon certain ofieial
acts OF mine. involving important public
| interests, done under the restraints and obli.
! cations Of my oath of oflco, which do not ap-
| prar 20 accord with the wishes OF some mem
/ borH OF the Grand Army OF tho Republic. / re-
fuse 70 boleye that this organization, founded
upon patriotic ideas composed very largely Of
men emitted 10 lasting honor and consdera-
/ ton, and whose crowninR glory IL
\ should be that they are American citizens
as well as veteran soldiers, deems q a
| part of rs missioa 10 compass any object
| or purpose by attempting TO intimidate
i the executive or cocroe those charged with
| making and executing the Jaws and yet the cx,
/ prcssions 10 which have referred Indicate such
/ prevalence OF unlricndly feeling and such n
/ mcnacc 20 an occasion which should be har-
monious. peaceful ind cordial that they can not
| be ignored, ! beg you 70 understand that am
i not conscious Of any act Of mne which should
/ make me fear 20 meet the Grand Army OF the
/ Republic or any other asscmbagc OF my fellow
| citizens The account OF my ofical steward
ship IA always ready fer presentation TO my
/ countrymcn. l should not be ffank N Hailed to
| confess, while disclaiming allresontmeni, that /
have been hurt byunworihy and wnnton attacks
/ upon me growing ont OF This matter and tho rock-
i less manner in which my actions and motives
/ lfales attA -
/ vately. for which, however, the Grand Army OF
the Republic, as body, is by no means respon-
/ sihic.
| The threats Of personal violence and harm
| m case unhertooh the trip In question, which
scores OF misguided, unbalanced men under the
/ stimulation OF excited feeling have made, are
i not even considered Rather than abandon my
| visit 10 the West and disappolnt your citizens
| might II alone were concerned. submit TO
i tho insult 20 which u Is quito openly asserted
/ would be helplcssly subjected II present nj The
Il cncamnmcnt. bur should bear with me there
the peoples highest once, the dignity of which
/ must protect; and believe that neither the
Grand Army of the Republic as an organization,
i nor any thing like q majority OF Its members,
would ever encourage any scundalous attack
upon H. n. howcvet, among the membership
| OF this body there are some, Ms certainly sefms
| 90 be the case, determined to dcnounce me md
| my ofiicinl acts apthe National e1campment be
Hove they should be permitted TO do 20 unrc
strained by my presence rs guest OF their or
HAnizntion, or nS u guest Of the hospitable city
In which their meeting Is held A number oi
the Grand Army posts have s'gn'fled their in
tcntion am informed, 10 remain nway from
the encampmont IN case visit the city NJ that
time. without considering the merit Of such
an excuse. feel that ought not 10 be tho
cause OF such non-attendanco. The time and
place OF the cncampment wee nxed long before
my Invitations were received Those desiring
10 participate In lis proceedings should be firsi
i regarded. aud nothing should be permitted 4
interfere with their attentions
| Another cons doration OF more Importance
than oil others remains 10 be noticed. The fac
| was referred 10 by you when you verbally pre-
scnted the invitation OF the citizens OF ST. Loui,
that the coming encampment OF the Crane
Army Of the Republic would be the first held II
n Southern Stnie. suppose this fact was men
toned as o pleasing indication OF the fraierna
feeling fast gaining ground throughout the en-
tire land and hailod by every patriotic citizen rs
| an earnest that the Union has really and IN fact
been snyed in sentiment and spirit, with all the
benefit II vouchsnfcs 20 q united people. car
not rid myself OF the belief that the least dis
cord on this propitious occasion might retard
| the progress OF the sentiment of common
brotherhood which the Grand Army OF the Re
public has so good an opportunity 10 increase
and foster 1 certainly ought not TO be the
.a,,.a =, ,,,, aiscord an nuv cvcnt or upon any
M eausv " s"N' .''> - =
pru'cAr 80, .,a ,he ,,,,,.ns =,
~ SENS % W - ,V n',,,sS 80 ,,ts nnresor,ed
st' Lous s ,ha oona,,,ons which h,ve con
| strained me TO forcgo my contemplated visit
anu ~. ~ ~ ,onr c,,v n,
| inN'.auon. n'y .a ,na,c,,nd cnn be ~ bn,
M VIZ .''ne sou .o,,,,,asad ,s,,h Inc I'M
ht,,e nv.non' ',,u ,,ai sop ,,'d hornnn,ous .rter
po..anvu ~ =, Wv .nur v athar r,,csis assnrc Won